Following the launch, the South Belfast MLA paid tribute to the work of Enterprise Northern Ireland in bringing the voices of small and micro business leaders to the fore:

“This annual report is becoming an increasingly important platform for bringing the voices of small and micro businesses into policy development and implementation processes. It is vital that these voices are heard and I very much welcome the publication of this report, now in its sixth year.

“Amongst a range of other challenges around accessing finance, the cost of doing business and the challenge of increasing productivity, skills and staff shortages were shown to be significant barriers for our micro and small businesses. 

“As chair of the All-Party Group on skills, I am all too aware of the stifling impact of skills shortages within our economy and this survey puts stark figures on that challenge. However, one of the positives from this report is that fifty-one per cent of businesses would consider taking on an apprentice. 

“Apprenticeships offer an innovative solution to the skills shortages faced by businesses in NI. Many small and micro businesses are apprehensive about taking on an apprentice and the Economy Minister must provide increased support to our small businesses and give them the confidence to bring apprentices on board, both to upskill the apprentice and bring value to the business.

“It is positive that the Minister for the Economy is already engaging with Enterprise NI and I would encourage him to work collaboratively with partners and to continue to listen to our small and micro businesses as he takes forward policy and legislative changes in this area.”